It’s been 38 years since the last total solar eclipse was visible in the continental United States. And even then, it was only seen in totality in a handful of states in the Northwest. The upcoming eclipse slated for Monday August 21, however, is going to be Yuge.
Seeing a Total Solar Eclipse is awe-inspiringly special.
I didn’t quite understand until I read an interview with Ernie Wright, who creates data visualizations and eclipse maps for NASA. He talked about the science of predicting eclipses among other topics.
Our conversation turned to the year 1979, when Wright was 16 years old and his father took the family to see a total solar eclipse in Winnipeg, Canada. Here’s how he described the experience of standing in awe of a blacked-out sun:
“You suddenly feel as though you can see the clockwork of the solar system. Where you think you lived doesn’t look like the same place anymore. We kind of know — in the back of our minds — that we live in a giant ball and it revolves around a hot ball of gas, and we’re floating in space. But you don’t really believe it until you see something like a total solar eclipse, where everything is all lined up and you go whoaaa. Other planets pop out. You got instant nighttime. And you can see Mercury and Venus usually. And sometimes Mars and Jupiter. ... It looks like the pictures from the textbook. It’s not entirely a science thing anymore. ... It’s mostly a thing where you have a better appreciation of where you are in the solar system.”
I have determined the exact second of the start of totality for the precise location I'll be. I also know that Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon" is exactly 42 minutes and 49 seconds long. I also know that the key line in "Eclipse" at the end (".... and the sun is eclipsed by the mooooooon") happens 48 seconds before the end.
Thus, at the observation party I'll be at, I will begin playing DSOTM exactly 42 minutes before totality. As totality begins, synchronicity will happen.
The album will reach its crescendo as things go dark, as David Gilmour sings that classic line...
And the music will fade to silence for the eerie totality.
It will be MAGIC.
This is the best simulation you'll find of the upcoming total solar eclipse
This Weather Channel solar eclipse simulation will get you psyched
Total Solar Eclipse Interactive Map
NASA - Total Solar Eclipse of 2017 Aug 21
Enter the zip code for wherever you will be during the Eclipse.
A solar eclipse is coming to America. Here’s what you’ll see where you live. - Vox
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